Three games in today’s action
Three games headline Tuesday’s KHL action, starting in the East with Avangard hosting an in-form Salavat Yulaev, boosted by Evgeny Kuznetsov’s instant impact and a three-game winning streak. In Cherepovets, Severstal looks to extend its home run against playoff-chasing Sibir in its milestone 1,100th KHL game. The matchday closes in Kazan with a fiery Tatarstan Derby, as Ak Bars face Neftekhimik aiming to protect second place before a difficult road trip.
In the first Eastern game of the day, Avangard hosts Salavat Yulaev. The Ufa team is in a good streak, with three consecutive wins, over Neftekhimik (2:1), Avtomobilist (4:1), and Barys (3:1). Evgeny Kuznetsov had a striking start with Salavat Yulaev, netting the game-winning goal against Barys – celebrated with his signature bird move – and adding two assists across his first two games with his new franchise. With this streak, the Ufa team climbed up to seventh place, with a five-point cushion over the playoff line. Flying much higher in the standings are the Hawks. Avangard lost its last game in Magnitogorsk (1:2), but is in third place in the Eastern Conference’s standings with a significant gap over Avtomobilist. In the previous two encounters between the teams, the Hawks collected two wins. Today, Salavat Yulaev will try to revert the trend also counting on Sheldon Rempal’s top form – the forward recorded points in nine straight matches.
16:30: Avangard (28-11-3, 3rd E) vs Salavat Yulaev (20-20-4, 7th E)
About the game
Avangard starts a two-game home series following a loss to Metallurg on Thursday (1:2).
Salavat Yulaev starts a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 2-0 (3:2 OT, 5:2).
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that stretch.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rempal is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 17 (4+13) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin, Alexei Vasilevsky.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Dmitry Rashevsky may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov may dish out his 200th league assist (currently at 199).
Salavat Yulaev’s forwards Devin Brosseau and defenseman Evgeny Kulik may score their respective 100th KHL point (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may dish out his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
In Cherepovets, Severstal hosts Sibir. The teams’ first meeting of the season went the way of the Cherepovets side (4:2). At present, Andrey Kozyrev’s men are riding a two-game winning streak, having beaten Dinamo Minsk (4:3) and Torpedo (7:6). Sibir, meanwhile, continues its push for a playoff spot in the East. Two days earlier they lost in Chelyabinsk to local side Traktor (1:4) and remained ninth, level on 39 points with Amur, who occupies the final playoff spot. Will they be able to get a result in Cherepovets that would temporarily push the Tigers aside? Notably, the upcoming game will be Severstal’s milestone 1,100th in the KHL. After today’s game, Sibir will fly back to Novosibirsk, where the team will face Neftekhimik on Jan. 17 before departing for another road trip.
19:00: Severstal (29-13-3, 1st W) vs Sibir (17-23-5, 9th E)
About the game
Severstal, who defeated Sibir earlier in the season (4:2), enters the fifth game of a six-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Sibir ends a two-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.
Severstal’s forward Adam Liska is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 11 (8+3) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Severstal: Alexander Samoilov.
Sibir: Ilya Fedotov.
Milestone alert
Severstal’s forward Ivan Podshivalov lines up for his 200th league appearance.
Severstal plays its 1,100th KHL game tonight.
Sibir’s defenseman Fyodor Gordeyev lines up for his 100th game in the league.
Tuesday’s action closes out with a Tatarstan Derby between Ak Bars and Neftekhimik. Earlier this season the teams met four times, with Ak Bars coming out on top on three occasions. The hosts approach the upcoming game after a home win over Barys (3:1). With 60 points, the Kazan side remains second in the Eastern Conference, holding a narrow edge over Avangard while having played two more games. Neftekhimik sits sixth with 47 points, three more than Salavat Yulaev. The Wolves travel to Kazan on the back of a successful two-game home series against Admiral (3:2 SO, 4:2). After today’s game Ak Bars will depart for a four-game trip in the Russian Far East.
19:30: Ak Bars (29-13-2, 2nd E) vs Neftekhimik (22-20-3, 5th E)
About the game
Ak Bars wraps up a six-game home series following a win over Barys on Thursday (3:1).
Neftekhimik starts a two-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 3-1 (1:2, 4:1, 3:2, 3:1).
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Mikhail Fisenko, Nikita Lyamkin, Albert Yarullin.
Neftekhimik: Raul Yakupov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Alexei Pustozyorov lines up for his 200th league appearance.
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th KHL shutout.
